Reading Notes: Narayan's Ramayana, Section C.

(Vali Dying in the arms of Tara after his battle and encounter with Rama and Sugreeva. Image source:Wikipedia) 

6. Vali

Hanuman is the servant of Sugreeva who is the son of the sun god

Sugreeva’s Story

Vali is the older brother of Sugreeva. Vali became as strong as he is now from completing what seemed to be an impossible task. He turned a churner to obtain the nectar that gave the gods immortality. For this deed they rewarded him with the strength he has today. He also has the ability to obtain half of the strength of whomever he fought. I really like this aspect of his powers. It sounds like a good concept that I might include into my story for this week. There was this demon named Mayavi who was trapped in a cave with Vali. In order to trap the demon, Sugreeva blocked off the cave and that therefore caused Vali to feel vengeful against his brother. The difference in Rama and Lakshmana’s relationship and Sugreeva and Vali’s relationship is quite interesting.

Dundubi’s Story
He was a demon who took on the form of a buffalo. He wanted to fight forever so the gods Vishnu and Sheeva told him to go to Vali, for he was the only one that could meet his requests. They fought for one year until Vali killed Dundubi with his own horn. I like this concept of being killed by something that you have. It could also be translated into being killed due to the thing you hold most dearly whether it be an item or a person. Sugreeva informed Rama that he had seen Ravana with Sita. She had dropped her jewelry so that they could know which way Ravana had gone.

They decide to battle Vali to get rid of his evil. Lakshmana is hesitant to trust Sugreeva since he seemed to have no hesitation for killing his brother. Rama is empathetic to Sugreeva. Sugreeva and Vali started their battle. Sugreeva was about to be killed when Rama put an arrow through Vali. Vali was actually impressed by the fact that someone had managed to defeat him and looked at Rama in a bright light instead of the person who had just shot him. Vali is then confused as to why Rama had sought to kill him. In the end, Vali accepts that Rama had killed him for the right reasons. In the end, Vali wishes his brother a good and safe life. Although it is unfortunate that Vali had to die for this to happen, it is nice to see that he did not die while still having a hatred towards his brother

7. When the Rains Cease

Hanuman wants to serve Rama but Rama tells him to wait four months until the rainy season stops.

Sugreeva vows to never drink again after Lakshmana comes to ask of why he hasn’t sent an army to Rama yet in anger. Sugreeva failed to get the message because he was drunk which is why he vows to stop drinking.

Angada and Hanuman set out with search parties for Sita. Rama tells him that they will know it is Sita when they see her because she has ruby red toenails.

Bibliography

Narayan's Ramayana, Link to reading Guide C.